BLOOMINGTON, IN – A university fraternity member, Noah Apgar, is now behind bars following accusations of assault against two women on campus, sparking a broader investigation into campus safety during the perilous early weeks of the academic year.
The most recent incident occurred at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house, where the victim reported the assault to the police, prompting a campus-wide alert. The notification led another victim to come forward, according to court records. The first victim recounted that after a party, she encountered the suspect at the fraternity house, where he allegedly tore off her clothes, choked, and sexually assaulted her in a bathroom. Video footage obtained by police shows the victim fleeing the scene immediately after the attack, which she reported to the Indiana University Police Department (IUPD).
Two days later, another woman reported a similar incident involving the same suspect, who allegedly raped her at her home despite her repeated pleas for him to stop. The assault left her with significant injuries. IUPD has noted that these reports are part of a troubling pattern, with four assaults reported in the first month of the semester.
Sally Thomas, the Director of Violence Prevention, emphasized the importance of victims coming forward, as it often encourages others to report their experiences. She acknowledged the difficulty of reporting such incidents but highlighted the strength in numbers, which can make the process less intimidating for survivors.
The beginning of the academic year, known as the “Red Zone,” is a period from the start of the semester to Thanksgiving break, during which schools statistically see a higher number of assaults. Thomas expressed dismay over this trend but remained hopeful that increased reporting and outreach efforts would lead to justice for the offenders.
The suspect remains in custody at the Monroe County Jail, with no court dates scheduled as of now. Indiana University continues to offer various resources for victims and survivors of assault, aiming to provide support and promote a safer campus environment.